Digestion issues - food intolerances/allegies?

[Romie]

Hey guys im wondering if any ausbb users have food intolerances/allergies and whats the best way to get tested for this? Ive been having digestion problems for along time now and I just dont know what to do anymore. Ive had afew blood tests from the doctor for things I think like celiac, crohns etc but nothing for allergies or food intolerances. Ive had my stomach and bowel checked in hospital where they removed some ulcers and polyps but maybe these have come back?

The gastro doctor put me on nexium (reduces stomach acid) but I stopped talking it after 2 months as food took forever to digest and I would tend to throw up my dinner every 2 weeks afew hours later, it would come out undigested like I had too much food in my stomach. I was getting extremely fat quickly but I wasnt having any diarrhoea problems and my stools were like solid bricks. I was put on this to stop acid reflux but I have found if I dont eat trigger foods I dont get reflex so medication is more of a band aid fix IMO. Maybe to much stomach acid is the problem but ive read that having low stomach acid can have similar symptoms.

Ive been constantly changing my diet trying to see what triggers my digestion issues and im starting to get some relief. Ive done a search on the forums and found some fantatic information which I will have to try out to see if it helps. The 1kg carrot juice, enzymes when eating dead foods, sauerkraut, paying more attention to chewing foods, eating more raw foods etc. I also work in a stressful environment which doesnt help at all.

Foods which cause issues so far are cashews, peanuts, milk, dairy and oats, im 100% sure about these. Foods I think which cause problems are coffee, grains, bread, pasta, sometimes high fat meat, sometimes fruit especially bananas and eggs but these sometimes cause problems and sometimes dont.

I tend to get really bad diarrhoea sometimes within an hour of eating, sometimes afew hours later. With my new diet it has been abit better with sometimes solid stools coming out or soft stools and diarrhoea has been minimised greatly. I tend to get depressed about life and snack on crap food which will always result in stomach issues.

At the moment im intermittent fasting to reduce the chance of my stomach getting upsets. At the moment my eating diet looks like this but im always looking at ways to improve it. Im not training at the moment so macros arnt to important but I will be looking to start again next week and I can stop shitting everything back out.

12pm - raw salad with spinach, green/red capsicum, carrots, tomato, rump steak, avocado, eggs, olive oil and balsamic vinegar which has helped alot. I still get abit of bloating, gas and burbing eating this but maybe my stomach is still adjusting im not to sure.
4:30pm - hambuger with lettuce, tomato, 2 beef patties, 1 egg with BBQ sauce. Most of the time I dont have problems with digesting this but sometimes I do.
7:30pm - Dinner is generally some type of meat, veges and carbs

Types of meals in the past that have caused problems
Chicken stirfry with brocolli, snow peas, carrots, soysauce and basmati rice. Possible triggers: soy, maybe rice but im not to sure?

Bacon and eggs for breakfast, with and without multi grain bread. Possible triggers: egg, bacon, wheat, grains

Marinated chicken with soy sauce and ginger, brocolli, carrots and snow peas. Possible triggers: soy, large amount of meat as it was half a kg of chicken, too much fibre from veges?

Sometimes I can have issues with just meat and veges, sometimes im fine

thai/chinese foods, curries, even if its homemade

Im thinking maybe I have food intolerances and maybe even allergies, to me it looks like a very complex problem but im not even sure where to start at the moment. My doctor can be abit hit and miss sometimes. Any help and suggestions would be great. Thanks

 

[IRON TANKS]

I would get full blood work and go see a specialist.

Let me say that stress can induce symptoms, the mind can manufacture and actually create real physiological symptoms within.

What exactly are your symptoms? Unfortunately if it is a true food intolerance, then you should go via process of elimination. Have zero condiments and eat as simple as possible.

First port of call is a specialist, so i'd be getting a referral from your GP.

 

[Romie]

I would get full blood work and go see a specialist.

Let me say that stress can induce symptoms, the mind can manufacture and actually create real physiological symptoms within.

What exactly are your symptoms? Unfortunately if it is a true food intolerance, then you should go via process of elimination. Have zero condiments and eat as simple as possible.

First port of call is a specialist, so i'd be getting a referral from your GP.

What type of specialist? ive been to a gastro what ever you call it and didnt really like it was I had to be on medication, I edited my OP for more info about this before I saw your post. Do you mean a dietitian or food allergy specialist? I dont have much faith in the health system at the moment unless they also work with athletes, sports or lift weights. I find they dont understand the nutritional requirements I need. Eg, I dont need to eat that much protein, why fast, I eat too many eggs etc

Apart from my stress I also do have pretty bad depression and anxiety but when my stomach is ok I feel alot better.

Depending what I eat symptoms can be gas, bloating, burping and lots of sounds from my stomach. I sometimes get reflux but this has been greatly reduced since cutting dairy and trying a more simple diet. If I eat something my stomach doesnt like I will get very bad diarrhoea, if its something my stomach sometimes tolerates I will get soft stools. Depending how angry my stomach is with me symptoms can be within 15 minutes and going to the toilet within a hour of eating or several hours later.

 

[chocchillimango]

Romie,

if you suspect a food intolerance, a gastroenterologist can order some tests. They are typically breath tests where you ingest a concentrated form of the potential irritant to the gut and then have a series of breath tests over a couple of hours.
The reason being that things like fructose/fructans and lactose will cause fermentation to occur in the small intestine for people who are overly sensitive. this can lead to bloating, nausea, cramps, brain fog, headaches, loose bowels or constipation ... plus more. The fermentation produces a lot of hydrogen or sometimes methane that gets detected in the tests.
fructose/fructans (fruit, veg, grain sources),
lactose (dairy)

Fructose and fructan intolerance has a strong link to depression. As someone who has this intolerance myself, I can vouch for that. When you feel sick all the time, it is bound to take you down. I have felt much better since getting my diet under control.

Blood tests for celiac are only indicative. You would need to have a gastroscopy and colonoscopy to know for sure if there is anything else.

You could also be tested to see if you have celiac sprue - not celiac proper but another gluten related sensitivity. There are a number of tests.

If you suspect a true allergy, then you need to see an allergist and have some tests done.

Reading through your OP, you haven't systematically eliminated foods you suspect and reintroduced them.
e.g soy sauce reactions might be due to soy, wheat, gluten etc ...anything.

Either way, you will have to take a methodical approach to an elimination diet for a number of weeks (usually 4-6) before challenging with potential irritants.

From what you've written, it would be difficult to assume your conclusions about which foods are irritants are well founded as you don't appear to have taken such an approach?

Definitely see a gastro ... ask to see a different one if you did not find the original one you saw very helpful.

There is a lot more information out there about this stuff now and lots more understanding about it in the last 5 years.

 

[Romie]

Thanks chocchillimango for the repose. Ive had an gastroscopy + colonoscopy and apart from the ulcers in the esophagus caused from reflux and a polyp in the bowel everything was OK from the biopsy's but I did never go back to see him like I was meant too, silly me.

You are definitely correct in saying my form of testing hasn't been that great, it hasn't really been proper testing I just redo my diet if i'm way off. Do you think I should start eliminating things now or just go to a very basic diet of meat, veges and some fruit for a few weeks? If things are OK with that I will start reintroducing items 1 at a time and if things still arn't looking good I can start eliminating things from the basic diet to get accurate testing data. A food diary will also have to be kept, the hardest thing will be self discipline where I work in an environment where I have access to foods I shouldn't eat.

Did some looking at elimination diets, im way off. Ill have to stick to these ingredients
All fruit minuis citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime etc)
Vegetables (raw, steamed, sauteed, roasted) minus tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes (sweet potato OK)
Rice (can cause issues with some people so can be removed)
Turkey, Lamb
Almond/Coconut milk
Cold pressed olive oil
Sea salt, fresh pepper, fresh herbs and spices (i.e. garlic, cumin, dill, ginger, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, turmeric)
Stevia

 

[chocchillimango]

Thanks chocchillimango for the repose. Ive had an gastroscopy + colonoscopy and apart from the ulcers in the esophagus caused from reflux and a polyp in the bowel everything was OK from the biopsy's but I did never go back to see him like I was meant too, silly me.

You are definitely correct in saying my form of testing hasn't been that great, it hasn't really been proper testing I just redo my diet if i'm way off. Do you think I should start eliminating things now or just go to a very basic diet of meat, veges and some fruit for a few weeks? If things are OK with that I will start reintroducing items 1 at a time and if things still arn't looking good I can start eliminating things from the basic diet to get accurate testing data. A food diary will also have to be kept, the hardest thing will be self discipline where I work in an environment where I have access to foods I shouldn't eat.

I would suggest you do the following first:

1. make an appt to see a specialist. get a referral from your doctor if it's been a while since you saw the gastroenterologist. your symptoms at this stage sound more intolerance related rather than allergy related. There could be other issues that may or may not be looked at (such as diverticulitise, imflammatory bowel disease etc).
2. keep a food diary, most definitely. Where you use processed foods, check ingredients. Often you think you've avoided a certain food only to find it's in the sauce or something else you've used. This is especially true with wheat and gluten. It will also help in your discussion with the gastro dude.

When I first got diagnosed with fructose/fructan intolerance, I was referred to a dietician. Now, I hate dieticians because I find their knowledge to be considerably poor. So I used the 8 weeks I had to wait for my appt to go on a strict low FODMAP diet and I kept a food diary. Nothing passed my lips that was not recorded.

At the end of that, I already knew more than I needed to about what the main triggers were (as they can differ considerably). So much so, the dietician was unable to provide anything more than I already had figured out.
It took a while to adjust my diet and get to a place where I no longer get the bloating, cramps etc (and only when I consciously decide to have something). I also figured out how much I could "push the boundary" with certain foods, where I could.



But, it might be something else and if so, you need to see someone pronto.


Just. Do. It.



Feeling better >>> some of the social downsides to significant mods to one's diet.


Here is a link for the FODMAP diet:
Low FODMAP Diet | Shepherd Works
this site is a good resource.

 

[Romie]

I would suggest you do the following first:

1. make an appt to see a specialist. get a referral from your doctor if it's been a while since you saw the gastroenterologist. your symptoms at this stage sound more intolerance related rather than allergy related. There could be other issues that may or may not be looked at (such as diverticulitise, imflammatory bowel disease etc).
2. keep a food diary, most definitely. Where you use processed foods, check ingredients. Often you think you've avoided a certain food only to find it's in the sauce or something else you've used. This is especially true with wheat and gluten. It will also help in your discussion with the gastro dude.

When I first got diagnosed with fructose/fructan intolerance, I was referred to a dietician. Now, I hate dieticians because I find their knowledge to be considerably poor. So I used the 8 weeks I had to wait for my appt to go on a strict low FODMAP diet and I kept a food diary. Nothing passed my lips that was not recorded.

At the end of that, I already knew more than I needed to about what the main triggers were (as they can differ considerably). So much so, the dietician was unable to provide anything more than I already had figured out.
It took a while to adjust my diet and get to a place where I no longer get the bloating, cramps etc (and only when I consciously decide to have something). I also figured out how much I could "push the boundary" with certain foods, where I could.



But, it might be something else and if so, you need to see someone pronto.


Just. Do. It.



Feeling better >>> some of the social downsides to significant mods to one's diet.


Here is a link for the FODMAP diet:
Low FODMAP Diet | Shepherd Works
this site is a good resource.

Thanks for sharing ill have to test this out. Do you think I should do this low FODMAP diet or the elimination diet first up?

 

[chocchillimango]

Thanks for sharing ill have to test this out. Do you think I should do this low FODMAP diet or the elimination diet first up?

doesn't hurt to try it. if you follow it strictly, you should be able to tell if there is a big improvement after a week. if not, there is something else at work.
if you do see an improvement, it might be one of the fodmaps that is causing the trouble.

given your symptoms, I'd have to ask if you consume much sugar-free stuff?
Sugar polyols (ie sorbitol, mannitol, malitol and xylitol) are a big problem for a lot of people and particularly those suspectible to food intols.
I found just by cutting them out reduced my symptoms by 50%!

they're in most sugar free stuff, including gum.

hope it sorts itself out. but get that appt!

 

[Grippy]

I am in the same boat mate, allergic to all sorts of stuff, wheat, nuts, eggs and some other weird stuff. Get tested at an allergist mate, we have to have my son checked every year as he has inherited allergies from me. Before finding out what I couldn't eat when symptoms hit their peak at around 18 years oldI had bad digestion issues,bad eczema and was always sick.
At first the allergist put me on a strict diet of pears, chicken breast and I can't remember the other item, but this was to clean me out and slowly add other food back in.
Go have a proper allergy test mate, it will help a ton

 

[chocchillimango]

ah, Grippy, I've had a nasty attack of an allergic rash on my forearms and neck in the last few days and I don't even know why! the only thing I know is I've had bad asthma over the past 2 weeks.

driving me crazy...hate allergies!!!

 

[GUZZLA]

A mates daughter was having heap of trouble trying to find what foods were making her sick. She bounced from one specialist to another before finding someone that had half a clue.

Basically, she had to start from the beginning and eat almost nothing and slowly introduce different food groups over a given period of time. It took about a month of testing before they realised she was allergic to certain preservatives. They then isolated what preservatives they were and armed with that knowledge, she now eats pretty much everything and is fit as a shit-house rat.

She was saying food colouring and preservatives are often overlooked by specialists as they are too busy looking for tumors and typically related diseases/illnesses.

I remember Casey Stoner (Moto GP rider) spent months sidelined with an unknown illness. Even with his access to the best medical help, it still took ages to diagnose him as lactose intolerant - a seemingly easy test for even the dumbest of doctors.

Best of luck dude and I do hope you get it sorted ASAP, I could not think of anything much more annoying that not being able to eat properly.

 

[Romie]

doesn't hurt to try it. if you follow it strictly, you should be able to tell if there is a big improvement after a week. if not, there is something else at work.
if you do see an improvement, it might be one of the fodmaps that is causing the trouble.

given your symptoms, I'd have to ask if you consume much sugar-free stuff?
Sugar polyols (ie sorbitol, mannitol, malitol and xylitol) are a big problem for a lot of people and particularly those suspectible to food intols.
I found just by cutting them out reduced my symptoms by 50%!

they're in most sugar free stuff, including gum.

hope it sorts itself out. but get that appt!

Ill give it a go before the elimination diet as ill only need 2 weeks to get a good understanding. Nope never really been into sugar free stuff as they generally have stuff which is alot worse for you than sugar. I would take the item with sugar over something which is sugar free but I do my best to avoid both of them most of the time. If I have to use sugar or something to sweeten food I generally will use stevia.

I got an appointment this thursday with my doctor to get the ball rolling so ill see what happens.

I am in the same boat mate, allergic to all sorts of stuff, wheat, nuts, eggs and some other weird stuff. Get tested at an allergist mate, we have to have my son checked every year as he has inherited allergies from me. Before finding out what I couldn't eat when symptoms hit their peak at around 18 years oldI had bad digestion issues,bad eczema and was always sick.
At first the allergist put me on a strict diet of pears, chicken breast and I can't remember the other item, but this was to clean me out and slowly add other food back in.
Go have a proper allergy test mate, it will help a ton

Thanks ill have to check this out. Ill speak to my doctor this week when I see her.

 

[chocchillimango]

Romie,

I saw Dr John Weiner, who is one of the top guys in Australia (but is in Melb). He's great.
This is his site, which has lots of info:
AllergyNet Australia

You can find a list of recommended specialists in your area here. This is the official site and a good resource for finding someone:
New South Wales | Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

 

[Romie]

Romie,

I saw Dr John Weiner, who is one of the top guys in Australia (but is in Melb). He's great.
This is his site, which has lots of info:
AllergyNet Australia

You can find a list of recommended specialists in your area here. This is the official site and a good resource for finding someone:
New South Wales | Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

Cheers

A mates daughter was having heap of trouble trying to find what foods were making her sick. She bounced from one specialist to another before finding someone that had half a clue.

Basically, she had to start from the beginning and eat almost nothing and slowly introduce different food groups over a given period of time. It took about a month of testing before they realised she was allergic to certain preservatives. They then isolated what preservatives they were and armed with that knowledge, she now eats pretty much everything and is fit as a shit-house rat.

She was saying food colouring and preservatives are often overlooked by specialists as they are too busy looking for tumors and typically related diseases/illnesses.

I remember Casey Stoner (Moto GP rider) spent months sidelined with an unknown illness. Even with his access to the best medical help, it still took ages to diagnose him as lactose intolerant - a seemingly easy test for even the dumbest of doctors.

Best of luck dude and I do hope you get it sorted ASAP, I could not think of anything much more annoying that not being able to eat properly.

Thanks for sharing that, I never thought about preservatives or colouring or any other chemicals they put into foods. Looks like with alot of self discipline I can do this all myself.

 

[chocchillimango]

any half decent allergist and/or gastroenterologist will consider preservatives, colours etc as part of what you get tested for.

that's why you need to see a specialist.

your symptoms do sound more intolerance rather than true allergy related however, given the symptoms and severity.

you probably won't figure it all out on your own TBH.

LOL here's my list:

True Allergies (all apparently "off the scale")
dust mite
mould
pollens/grasses
red food colouring
cats/dogs/horses etc
isothiazolinones

Intolerances
fructans
fructose
mild reaction to cruciferous veggies/legumes (galactans)
sugar polyols

I get ecxema, asthma, sinusitis and hives as well as GI troubles

but all good once under control. except the airborne stuff. dammit.

 

[lex]

I had similar troubles until I worked out I was lactose intolerant and can't eat to much processed foods especially no artificial sweeteners - Aspartame and nutra sweet screw with my guts.

I got tested for food allergies,fine on most foods except on most of the artificial preservatives and colouring's.

ccm its a pity we don't have been air quality monitoring like in Japan.
We're going to be installing a lot in the new building at work (only a few for pollen , lot more for vocs and gas detection)

 

[Grippy]

CCM thats a hell of a list, I have eczema and asthma too, they usually go hand in hand. To keep the GI stuff in check I make it a must to eat only foods that don't aggravate me, however this is easier said than done especially times when we have been out for dinner and shit like garlic bread looks soo damn good so I think fuck it and have a slice, then pay for it quite quickly. I have found a cheap product called Gastro Stop invaluable, I only have 1 tiny capsule every 4 or 5 days and it slows the rapid digestion and transfer through the GI tract down and saves a lot of issues.

As for the specialists, the problem I found was they tend to treat symptoms and not the cause of the problem which really sucks balls and costs a ton of money. I spent years as a teenager covered in a severe rash, constantly in the shitter and looking skinny and weak like an aids victim, I was desperately trying to work out what was going on going to dermatologists who were quick to give me some new creams to use and to gastro places who were quick to give me other stuff to use or tell me I need an operation.

My doc at the time went left of field and sent me to a naturopath who diagnosed my issues straight away and sent me for allergy testing and as soon as I knew what to stay away from I have been fine since, although it is about 15 years since I have had a beer.
One problem is they test with raw food extracts, which can vary as when food is cooked usually the 'allergenic' parts are broken down and can be digested. Same thing with canned stuff, I am allergic to fresh tomato and sundried tomato but fine with canned tomato, something about them aging in the can.

 

[chocchillimango]

LOL yeah, call me the girl in the bubble

but make it an anti-allergenic bubble please!!!

yeah, I was lucky I guess. i got sent to an allergist. My experience of naturopaths was not good. It really depends on who you get.

I actually think that things have changed quite a bit given that allergies and intolerances are becoming more easy to test for and more is understood.

BUT, I remember Dr Weiner saying to me that the frustrating thing for anyone in his profession is that there is more art than science involved. Mostly because symptoms can vary so much between individuals that diagnosis can be quite hard sometimes.
The key thing is that the person with the problem really needs to do their part to be systematic and methodical about their observations and that can help narrow down the cause for which a treatment may or may not be possible.

It's the one area of medicine where we are truly the experts ourselves.
I tested positive to peanuts and avoided them for 25 years.
I decided last year it was total BS and started a slow reintroduction and challenge test (my doctor loves me for doing this stuff ... NOT)
Turns out I was right. No peanut allergy. I reacted to the mould to which I am massively allergic. I just avoid peanuts (and all nuts) in the shell as this is where the mould is a problem.

so freaking hard, isn't it, guys?

 

[peanutz]

You should get the breath and blood tests, go on an elimination diet, take a probiotic, have a colonic, start taking l-glutamine, see a naturopath or a traditional chinese practitioner.

OFTEN these issues are simply the result of a parasite, bacterial imbalance, or an enzyme issue and won't require a life long restrictive diet.

 

[chocchillimango]

LOL


egads, not the colonic!!!!!